Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Bowdoin College is committed to the proper and humane treatment of all animal research subjects. All members of the College — faculty, staff, and students alike — are expected to show respect and regard for any living creature subjected to investigative procedure.

Unnecessary pain to any creature is to be avoided. Awareness and discussion of these issues are part of the professional development and responsibility of faculty and the education of students.

The IACUC will meet once a month during February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. The Committee will schedule additional meetings as needed, including during the summer months.

Spring 2023 Meeting Dates

Subcommittee meetings will be scheduled twice per year to perform the semiannual facility inspections and program reviews.

2022-23 INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC)

Chair: Manuel Diaz-Rios

Research Compliance Manager: Emily Murphy

For more information about the role of the IACUC, or for answers to questions about the submission process, please email the iacuc@bowdoin.edu.

 

IACUC

What is an IACUC?

The IACUC is responsible for oversight of the animal care and use program and its components as described in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide).  Its oversight functions include an ongoing assessment of animal care and use.

What does the IACUC do?

  • Review, at least semiannually, the institution's program for the humane care and use of animals;
  • Inspect, at least semiannually, the College's vivaria (including satellite facilities);
  • Prepare reports to the Institutional Official (IO) of the IACUC evaluations;
  • Review animal welfare concerns;
  • Make recommendations to the IO on any aspect of the animal program, facilities, or personnel training;
  • Review and approve, those components of PHS conducted or supported activities related to the care and use of animals;
  • Review and approve, proposed significant changes to the use of animals in ongoing activities; and
  • Be authorized to suspend an activity involving animals.

 

Research Protocol Application

When to submit a research protocol application.

Protocols must be submitted three weeks in advance of the scheduled IACUC meeting to be eligible for review. This allows adequate time for the committee to conduct a proper review and request any necessary modifications. Protocols submitted in less time may not be reviewed until the next scheduled meeting.

How to submit a research protocol application.

Please submit IACUC applications via Cayuse Animal Oversight.

No research may begin before written approval has been issued.
No research animals may be obtained prior to receiving written approval.

Where to find IACUC applications and other forms.

Applications and other forms can be found by visiting Animal Research Forms and Resources.

Principal Investigators must get approval before making changes to activities in approved protocols.

Guidance on what is considered a significant change to an ongoing animal activity that requires IACUC review can be found in NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-14-126 or Significant Changes webpage. 

Animal Welfare Concerns and Whistleblower Protection Standard

There are several mechanisms available for students, personnel, and the greater Bowdoin community on how to report an animal welfare concern:

  1. Signs are posted in animal areas, and the vivarium, that describe the mechanisms on how to report a concern. Information includes the website to Bowdoin’s Code of Conduct describing the College’s whistleblower protection standard and no reprisals statement as well as guidance on the reporting of, and contact information for those that want to report animal welfare concerns anonymously via ethicspoint.com (http://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/handbook/general-policies/code-of-conduct.shtml). Email addresses to the general IACUC email address, IACUC chair address, and direct email address for the Animal Welfare and Facilities Manager are also listed.
  2. The College’s Office of Safety and Security has an anonymous reporting form on their website on how to report animal welfare concerns. https://bowdoincollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ai5Bykj38UQkdGB
  3. The Faculty Handbook includes the College’s Ethical Standards of Research Policy that outlines how to submit complaints about possible misconduct in research. That policy is available in hard-copy and publicly accessible online. https://www.bowdoin.edu/academic-affairs/pdf/20-21facultyhandbook.pdf
  4. The Faculty Handbook includes the Freedom from Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Gender-Based Violence Policy. That policy is available in hard-copy and publicly accessible online. https://www.bowdoin.edu/academic-affairs/pdf/20-21facultyhandbook.pdf

The IACUC sets aside time at meetings to review concerns and recommends appropriate actions to the Institutional Official.

Helpful Resources for IACUC Activities

The Guide for the Care and Use of Animals, 8th Ed
The Guide is an internationally accepted primary reference on animal care and use, and its use is required in the United States by the Public Health Service Policy.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/Guide-for-the-Care-and-Use-of-Laboratory-Animals.pdf

NIH Office of Animal Care and Use Guidelines.

http://oacu.od.nih.gov/ARAC/index.htm

PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
It is the Policy of the Public Health Service (PHS) to require institutions to establish and maintain proper measures to ensure the appropriate care and use of all animals involved in research, research training, and biological testing activities conducted or supported by the PHS.

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm

U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54048/

Animal Welfare Act.
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) was signed into law on August 24, 1966. It is the only Federal law in the United States that regulates the treatment of animals in research, teaching, testing, exhibition, transport, and by dealers. The Act is enforced by USDA, APHIS, Animal Care.

http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/legislat/awa.htm